In the run-up to 19th May, the World Hepatitis Alliance and patient groups across the world will be presenting their governments with ‘12 Asks’ aimed at combating hepatitis B and C. The ’12 Asks’ are a series of requests for commitment from policy makers to recognise the impact of the disease and the importance of adopting measures that address the issue from a public health perspective.
The ‘12 Asks’ to governments are a central element of the campaign aimed at setting objectives both internationally and nationally for improvements in hepatitis health outcomes for patients. The ‘12 Asks’ are broken into two groups of six. The first six ‘Asks’ will be uniform across the world and a further six will be selected by each of the participating countries, based on the specific needs of that country.
All governments are being asked to sign up to the ‘12 Asks’ by 2012. This does not mean that all ‘12 Asks’ have to be achieved by 2012.
1. Public recognition of chronic viral hepatitis as an urgent public health issue
2. The appointment of an individual to lead Government strategy nationally
3. The development of a patient pathway for screening, diagnosis, referral and treatment
4. Clear, quantifiable targets for reducing incidence and prevalence
5. Clear, quantifiable targets for reducing mortality
6. Clear, quantifiable targets for screening
7. Effective surveillance and publication of national incidence and prevalence statistics
8. Commitment to examine cases of best practice internationally
9. Commitment to work with patient groups in policy design and implementation
10. Provision of free and anonymous (or confidential) testing
11. A public awareness campaign that alerts people to the issue and is committed to reducing stigma
12. Commitment to an ongoing national vaccination programme
The World Hepatitis Alliance is asking governments to sign up to the ‘12 Asks’ before 2012. Those that do will be championed as Early Adopters. Already several countries are working towards adopting the ‘12 Asks’ and becoming Early Adopters.